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Deduct the rental value of auditorium rental, is this appropriate?

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Deduct the rental value of auditorium rental, is this appropriate?

The business hosting our annual fund raising dinner in its auditorium wants to deduct the rental value as a charitable contribution. Is it appropriate to do so?

No. Taxpayers are not permitted to take a charitable contribution deduction for gifts of services, and the IRS considers free use of space or equipment to be a service. The business may deduct out of pocket expenses incurred in connection with the event, but not the value of the space. 

Monday, September 21, 2009

Comments

The issue this question raises for me is a common one faced by nonprofits -- donors and would-be donors trying to turn the nonprofit into a tax advisor. You really have to train your board and staff to deftly sidestep these questions -- I like "I'm not sure, what does your tax preparer say?"

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